96 Gillespie presents Less Hope by Robin Footitt Jan 11th to 18th, 2008
96 Gillespie introduces London based ilustrative artist Robin Footitt. Fresh from successful shows in London, NYC & Frankfurt, Footitt's an MA candidate
at the Royal College of Art. Recent collaborations with KT Tunstall feature in her latest album artwork 'Drastic Fantastic'.
“… It was a “No” flung at some vast process of torture, a denial of suffering, a denial that held the
agony of the struggle to break free. The sounds were like a voice saying: There is no necessity for pain – why,
then, is the worst pain reserved for those who will not accept its necessity? – we who hold the love and the secret
of joy, to what punishment have we been sentenced for it, and by whom? … The sounds of torture became defiance, the
statement of agony became a distant vision for whose sake anything was worth enduring, even this. It was the song of rebellion –
and of a desperate quest.”
- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged (1957), p.67
As the fragmented title suggests 'Less Hope' is a statement of intent – not for a pessimistic message of lowering
expectations but rather the diminishing want of a better world, things may be bad but not deemed hopeless. By compressing the
vision of heroes, villains, victims and rescues into a collated exhibition of recent work, emerging artist Robin Footitt
displays his visual language alongside thoughts of the spectacle.
Footitt’s work often takes unexpected forms whilst retaining disciplines based in drawing and painting. Thirteen Flags is a
chain of painted felt flags which celebrate the ‘sport of observing disaster’, a sequence of emblematic red triangles which
depict the event of an asteroid landing on Jaws the terrorist shark. Also on display is the Circle Sky lithograph series, the
collaboration with musician KT Tunstall for her recent album release ‘Drastic Fantastic’ (Relentless, 2007). Across 11 plates,
a series of folk tales, autobiographical elements and the ghosts of past recordings interact in silent storyboards. What can be read
is a visual quest for answers as signature characters move from frame to frame – beneath the circle sky …
Accompanying this exhibition, exclusive to 96 Gillespie, is a 7” vinyl catalogue and theme tune in collaboration with The Listen Collective.
London-based artist Robin Footitt (b. 1982) has exhibited in a number of group and solo exhibitions in London, Frankfurt and New York.
In 2007 his solo exhibition ‘Stand Apart’ at Nancy Victor, London was featured in Time Out, The Art Newspaper and Flavorpill.
In 2006 ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ at Hagan Saint Philip, New York was selected as an ‘art pick’ on artcal.net. His work has been
published in Blackbook (U.S), Faesthetic (U.S) and Marmalade (U.K) and was recently the subject of a documentary ‘A Comic by Robin Footitt’
directed by Rupert Style (RSA Films, 2007).
Footitt is currently studying MA Paint at Royal College of Art and participated in RCA Secrets 2007.
Private view Thursday 10th January, from 7-9 pm
Location: 96 Gillespie road, London N5 1LN
Opening hours: Th-Su 2-6pm. or by appointment
Phone: 0207 503 3496
Admission: Free
http: www.96gillespie.com
Tube: Arsenal (Piccadilly Line)
Bus Routes: 19, 4, 106, 236
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